First Shelby Sport SUV Breaks Cover With $315K Starting Price

You could be among the first to get the new Shelby Sport SUV. But it's not cheap and it’s limited. It starts at $315,000. Get the details here.

It's exclusive and expensive.

Gateway Bronco uncovered the world's first Shelby Sport SUV. It's based on the automaker's retro-inspired LUXE-GT Edition Bronco and the 1966-1977 Ford Bronco. 

The announcement says there will only be ten SUVs produced yearly with a starting price of $315,000. Carroll Shelby Licensing officially licenses the new Shelby Sport SUV, featuring a classic-style body with a modern chassis, drivetrain, and braking system.

Each limited edition model will have a unique Gateway Bronco serial number, which will be placed in the prestigious Shelby Registry, a database of all authentic Shelby vehicles. The Shelby Sport SUV is also available with an optional carbon fiber body and a 5.2-liter Predator V8 engine with 760 supercharged horsepower. They did not say the price of the added upgrades. 

"Launching the first Shelby Sport SUV based on a classic Bronco is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream," said Gateway Bronco CEO Seth Burgett. "I vintage race an authentic Shelby GT350 and also own the first Ford Bronco, which was owned by Carroll Shelby." 

"It was a thrill to have the Shelby team provide input on an SUV worthy of the legendary name. No other SUV in the world offers the rare combination of classic lines, world-class driving performance, and collectability available in Gateway Bronco's limited production Shelby."

Gateway Bronco says the Shelby Sport SUV is the best of all worlds, with the styling of a classic SUV and modern drivetrain using the latest technology and safety features. 

It competes with some expensive sheet metal. 

They compare the new Limited Edition SUV with the world's best modern Sport SUV, such as Range Rover's Autobiography and AMG's G-Wagon. 

"Shelby has been at the forefront of performance since Carroll founded this company in 1962," said M. Neil Cummings, Esq, CEO of Carroll Shelby Licensing and Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International. 

"From on and off-road vehicles to parts and merchandise, the Shelby name is respected worldwide. Enthusiasts have been asking for a Shelby SUV for decades, and we're excited to finally fulfill that demand with this first Shelby Sport SUV by Gateway Bronco."

The Shelby Sport SUV base trim level ($315,000) has a steel body that rests on a modern chassis with ten patents pending or granted, and every aspect of the vehicle has a contemporary upgrade. 

The chassis is over 110 percent stiffer than the original Bronco, teamed with an independent suspension and anti-lock brakes. The performance is truly exhilarating, with a stopping distance of 60 mph-0 in only 148 feet. 

The announcement says the new Shelby SUV is painted with a Glasurit Piano Finish by BASF for a rich European-style gloss and is available in exposed carbon fiber with a Highland green hue, showing the craftsmanship of exposed carbon weave split down the middle of the vehicle.  Each vehicle produced is track-worthy, as demonstrated by Romain Grosjean at The Velocity Invitational at Sonoma Raceway.

"My grandfather, Carroll Shelby, loved going fast whenever possible, including off-road," said Aaron Shelby, Board Member of Carroll Shelby International. "He and his team at Shelby experimented with trucks and SUVs over the years, installing powerful motors, enhancing suspensions, and wringing out every ounce of performance. I'm confident he would've wanted one of these Shelby Sport SUVs in his personal garage."

There's more underneath. 

The body is structurally reinforced and provides a lower center of gravity. The announcement says that the ladder frame is 70 percent stiffer than popular aftermarket replacement frames while delivering superior suspension geometry.

Inside, the SUV is not just performance-focused, it's a luxurious haven, with lavish leather and modern carbon fiber. RECARO seats, a vintage Shelby GT350 steering wheel, and contemporary gauges are also included.

The option packages. 

Options for the limited-edition Bronco-based Shelby include a carbon fiber body, traction control, and the same 5.2-liter "Predator" V8 that powered the last generation Shelby GT500. Shelby American offered a "King of the Road" model, the Shelby GT500, based on that car.

"Throughout our Shelby GT500KR program, we were inundated with requests for a Shelby SUV that is equally capable," said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. "Many materials and speed gear engineered for our Shelby edition Mustangs can be found on the Resto-Mod Shelby Sport SUV. It is a cool addition to the Shelby lineup designed with performance as the number one objective.”

Built on an entirely new chassis, the Shelby Sport SUV features:  

• Full-time All-Wheel Drive
• Anti-Lock Brakes
• Electronic Stability Control
• Electronic Traction Control
• Independent Front Suspension (IFS)
• Rack and Pinion Electric Steering
• Generation 4, Coyote 5.0L or optional 5.2L Predator V8
• 10-Speed Automatic or 5-speed manual transmission
• Sport Tuned Suspension for Maximum On Road Driving Enjoyment
• Capable Off-Road Performance, Proven in the Australian Outback
• All Stainless Exhaust with Ceramic Coating
• Exposed Carbon Fiber Body
• Bi-Modal Active Exhaust Tuned specifically for the Shelby 
• Push Button Start
• 18-inch Sport Wheels with BF Goodrich K02 Tires
• 4-Point or 6-Point Roll Bars
• Focal Utopia Studio Sound System
• CarPlay Screen with Bluetooth
• Rear Backup Camera
• Power Windows 
• Air Conditioning
• Leather interior
• Optional Houndstooth inserts
• Optional RECARO seats
• Shelby GT350 steering wheel
• Premium Billet Accessories
• Patent Pending Soft Close Doors
• Patent Pending Soft Close Tailgate
• Patent Pending “Freedom” hard top convertible
• Patent Pending Independent Suspension
• Patented Powered Convertible Soft Top
• Color Matched Custom Bimini Top 
• LED Lighting Package 
• Glasurit “Piano” Finish

Each Shelby Sport SUV will be built in Gateway Bronco's 60,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art manufacturing center in Hamel, Illinois. The facility is vertically integrated from metal fabrication to paint and final assembly. 

Gateway Bronco says the special VIN and information for each Shelby Sport SUV will be submitted to the official Shelby Registry for documentation. 

It's not just a vehicle; it's an exclusive and prestigious ownership experience. For additional information about the Shelby Sport SUV, check out gatewaybronco.com.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Gateway Bronco